Mobile Nations No Tricks, Just Treats Halloween Costume Contest!

With Halloween falling on a Monday this year, we know a lot of you will be out this weekend in costume getting your party on. So to celebrate Halloween and the official launch of our new Mobile Nations network branding, we thought we'd have some fun with a cross-site mobile device + costume contest.

gMaps Pro goes Mango with compass support and more

gMaps Pro is our go-to app when we want some Google services on our Windows Phone (since Google is evidently too busy fixing Android to make WP7 apps). We've been waiting on a Mango update for a few weeks now and developer Alexy Strakh has not dissapointed.

New features in v1.12 include:

Compass support (shows what direction you're facing)

Latitude background agent

New bicycle layer

Ability to hide buttons on the map

Public transportation quick access

Contact database access--now you can route a contact's address directly

Having Latitude update automatically in the background is a great addition, finally making this a true Google Latitude app. The compass feature makes it that much more useful (why Bing Maps doesn't do this, we have no idea). So overall, this is a great app that keeps getting better.

You can pick up the ad-free "Pro" version for $1.99 (our choice) here or the ad-supported free version here in the Marketplace.

ImageWind triumphantly returns to the Marketplace with a Mango update

Going back to late 2010, there was a minor controversy with an app called ImageWind. The app was removed from the Marketplace because it pulls live images from Twitter, randomly, in an uncensored way. What it meant was there was a possibility that non-family safe images would appear, thus offending some users and as it happens, violating the Marketplace rules.

In short, it was the first example of "app censoring" that Windows Phone experienced.

Now, the app has returned with version 1.2. So what's new? For one, it has Mango support, so you get some fast-app switching. You also get a "Safe Mode" option to show/hide potentially non-safe images (from our experience, you rarely see anything dirty on Twitter anyways).

It's a cool app, we suppose. Very voyeuristic. Too bad it doesn't support landscape mode, as that'd be ideal for a desktop screensaver.

Microsoft holding Windows Phone event in NYC on Nov 7th--we'll be there

Looks like Microsoft will have a big day on November 7th as a new "invite only" flyer is making the rounds. The invite promises a "backstage" event with Windows Phone celebs Andy Lees, Joe Belfiore and we hear even Brand Watson will be there in addition to a "host of partners".

While we can't share what Microsoft has planned exactly, we can tell you that WPCentral has an invite, meaning what ever happens, we'll be there covering it as only the best Windows Phone site can. But seeing as the focus (pun alert!) is on AT&T devices, perhaps we'll be seeing that carrier announcing some release dates and prices.

What's more, November 7th is also the same night as that NYC Windows Phone party for the public. Coincidence? Certainly not. Of course, we'll be there too covering that event, so if you're attending, make sure you say "hi".

HTC Ultimate Brazil advertisement

We've just been made aware of the above advertisement in Brazil, which effectively promotes the HTC Ultimate (Titan). Fabio Castro walks us through how the beast handset lights up his life. "The big screen turns on and my imagination wakes up", more like the big screen wakes up and you feel like you're carrying a futuristic screen around and not a phone. It's a great advert nonetheless and further proves HTC's dedication to promote Windows Phone.

Windows Phone Folders for Mango released [Homebrew]

The team over at Windows Phone Hacker has reached a point in the development of Folders where the app is ready for its first release. We recently covered a quick demonstration on how the app works, as well as earlier announcements. The project was started with the single aim in cleaning up "ugly" homebrew applications in the start menu and placing them in configurable folders. Now, the public is demanding a try.

Before we begin with the steps to install and use the app, there are some requirements you need to be aware of:

Developer/ChevronWP7 unlocked phone.

Windows Phone 7.5 Mango

Limitations are present as the Folders Config desktop application is required to alter folders and insert apps. These are:

You need a desktop every time you want to adjust your folders

You need to either manually add the applications (homebrew, for example) or search for them in the Marketplace.

The app is pretty much "what you saw is what you'll get" should you have viewed the quick demo, but feedback in the homebrew community has been positive and the app is still in early stages. Ready to begin organising tiles, etc.? Good stuff, head on past the break for the steps and video.

HTC taking over the Metro newspaper

We've previously covered HTC advertising in Metro, a popular British newspaper, but it's now extreme. The newspaper offers an advertiser the opportunity to purchase the front and back pages. HTC has now taken not only a full page inside the paper, but the Radar is the first image you see when picking it from the stand.

The Metro newspaper is often read by commuters to and from work, which may prove to be effective audience targeting since businessmen would benefit more with Windows Phone than an iPhone or equivalent Android handset. While it may sound silly, it's fitting that the newspaper shares the same name as the UI.

Everything you need to know from Nokia World '11

Nokia World has been eventful. The handsets unveiled caught the attention of everyone in the centre, the party on the first night was a good show and we even had Diversity perform! Nokia pulled out the stocks with the presentation and entertainment at the Excel Centre in London. We'd love to see the total bill for the event. So, what do you need to know?

Before we begin, be sure to check out our Nokia World summary for the full run through of day 1. Head on past the break for the juicy links.

Nokia giving Symbian owners a taste of Windows Phone

Own a Symbian device? Curious what Windows Phone feels like? Don't want to go down to the local wireless store to see?

Nokia has the answer. If you have a compatible Symbian device from Nokia you can download a demo of Windows Phone as it appears on the Lumia 800 and take it out for a test drive of sorts.

The interactive demo is just another example of how Nokia is investing heavily with the Windows Phone platform. The demo app has limited functionality but should give Nokia fans a glimpse of how Windows Phone can make life easier.

You can download the Nokia Lumia 800 app here at Nokia's OVI Store. There is a Nokia Phone Selector on this page to let you see if your current Nokia phone is compatible.

Introducing Mobile Nations, our new community network brand!

This past summer we soft-launched "Mobile Nations", initially using the name for our cross-site podcast that brings together the heads of state from AndroidCentral, CrackBerry, TiPb, PreCentral and WPCentral for discussion on all things mobile.

Today I have the pleasure of more formally introducing Mobile Nations as our new network brand, creating an umbrella under which all of our individual communities stand united. Take note of the new Mobile Nations top bar and footer on this site!

Though our history in operating the leading mobile-platform dedicated websites reaches back over a decade to the launch of VisorCentral in 1999, it feels like we are in start-up mode again, making aggressive plans and tackling our to-do lists with gusto. Forum regulars will have already noticed a number of recently introduced feature enhancements and podcast fans are now able to watch replays of their favorite shows in video. Over the weeks and months ahead you'll see us pull the trigger on a number of other Mobile Nations initiatives currently in the works, all aimed at making your experiences on all of our communities even more engaging and fun.

Kinectimals catnapped, Microsoft to rescue on November 2

We’ve received a lot of questions and comments about the Xbox Live title Kinectimalsdisappearing from the Marketplace. Many of you have been worried about the missing kitties, so it’s time to set the record straight.

First off, the Windows Phone version of Kinectimals appeared on the Marketplace Wednesday morning alongside the regularly-scheduled Xbox Live release, Orbital. It was a pleasant surprise, as we only expected a single Live release. Later that day, Kinectimals dropped off the Marketplace.

As it turns out, Kinectimals’ release was a ‘soft launch’ according to a Microsoft representative we spoke with. They released it as a tease to build hype for the game’s official release, which comes next week on November 2. Anyone who already purchased the game can enjoy it as normal, but those who didn’t will need to wait till Wednesday. In the meantime, enjoy the above picture of my kitty, MouseCat, getting into trouble at the CiCi's Pizza buffet. We also have this demonstration video from Nokia World.

We actually updated out original story yesterday, but many readers may have missed it with everything going on. For the record, you can always find gaming-related news by jumping to the Games section of our site.

Microsoft takes a peek at the future...

Microsoft has produced a rather interesting video showing how future technologies may progress to help people make better use of their time. The video shows Windows Phones scaled down to the bare minimum (the flip screen device is neat) and tablets being paper thin.

It's nice to see the phone continuing to play a central role in office and personal productivity. Windows Phone's capabilities continue to grow and we are seeing thinner and thinner phones. We've even seen devices with a little flexibility (courtesy of Nokia World). But how scaled down is too much? Would a screen only device be appealing or not enough?

Besides devices the conceptual video also highlights software visions that will help everything from office productivity to helping your kids bake a pie.

So is this Science Fiction or near future? What would you like to see go from concept to reality?

The contest or sweepstakes begins on October 27, 2011 at 12:01am PT and ends 11:59pm PT on November 7, 2011. This is the Entry Period. Within the Entry Period there will be eight Weekday Prize Periods (Monday-Friday only) that begins at 12:01am PT and ends at 11:59pm PT.

During each Weekday Prize Period a new "word of the day" will be posted at @windowsphone over on Twitter. To enter the contest you'll need to be following @windowsphone and tweet a message to @windowsphone that includes the "word of the day" and include the hashtag #wpword. Entries are limited to one entry per person and Twitter handle per weekday prize period. Winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries for that day. Non-winning entries will not be carried forward to the next prize.

Now... here are the prizes.

October 27 and 28: Windows Phone branded t-shirt, one month Xbox Live Gold subscription, and a Windows Phone Sticker.

October 31 and November 1,2,3,4,7: Windows Phone branded t-shirt, one month Xbox Live Gold subscription, a three month Zune Pass subscription and a Windows Phone Sticker.

November 7: Windows Phone

During the first two Weekly Prize Period groupings there will only be one winner per day. For the November 7th Windows Phone drawing there will be twenty winners. There are no details on which Windows Phone will be given away but it is being described as a "Windows Phone 7.5 phone".

The ZTE Windows Phone handset, Tania, will sport a 4.3", 480x800 WVGA TFT screen, 512mb RAM, 4gb of memory, 5mp rear camera, and will measure 10.5mm thin. Reports indicate that pricing will be at 2,000 yuan ($223 Euro/$314 US) but we're not sure how this will transfer to the European carriers.

No specific release date was indicated but if the fourth quarter holds true, and already being a month into the quarter, Europe should see the Tania hit the shelves soon.

Acer announces the W4

After being fairly quiet in the world of Windows Phone, Acer has finally announced the release of the Allegro handset. The first entry from the manufacturer will set the buyer back €299, slightly less than the price of the Nokia Lumia 710. Specification readout of the handset is as follows: